Brake combination for dual trailer wheels and wheel construction



June 1, 1937. A; KENDALL 2,082,292

.BRAKE COMBINATION FOR DUAL TRAILER WHEELS AND WHEEL CONSTRUCTION FiledJan. 9, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR George 191 hefladZZ.

ATTORNEYS- Patented June 1, 1937 2' UNITED STATES? BRAKE COMBINATION FORDUAL TRAILER 'WHEEIS AND CONSTRUCTION George A. Kendall, ,Windsor,Ontario, Canada Application January, 9, 1933, Serial No. 650,821 4Claims. (Ci. 188-2) ,This invention relates to wheels for motor or othervehicles and has particular relation to wheels suitable for employmentin dual or other relation, upon trailers pulled by other power propelledvehicles.

An object of the invention is to provide wheels mounted upon an axle, indual relation and in such manner that either of the wheels can beremoved without afiecting operation of the other,

thereby rendering it possible to operate a vehicle at least duringemergencies when one of the wheels is incapable of use.

Another object of the invention is to provide independently operablebrakes. for dual or other multiple wheels employed in side-by-siderelation upon an axle spindle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel means for clampingrims upon the wheels of motor vehicles generally, and particularly uponmotor vehicles having dual wheels where one of the rims must be removedover a wheel employed in supporting the other rim.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ring for employment inholding rims upon and supporting the wheels of motor or other vehicles,

which is held in position by tension.

. Another object of the invention is to provide means for retaining thelubricant employed in wheels'of motor vehicles inside the hubs oi thewheels to prevent its escape into the brake bands or other mechanismmounted adjacent drawings, illustrating a particular form of theinvention, wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of an arrangementconstructed according to one 50 form of the invention and with certainparts or the structure broken away in order-to better illustrate certainparts.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the wheel and the axle spindle,taken substantially on line 66 2-2 oi. Fig. 1. V

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken in a region between the dualwheels and substantially in the plane of'line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 except that the latter is taken in aregion adjacent the axi- 5. ally outer end of the axle spindle andsubstantially in the plane of line 44 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary and enlarged sectional view of one of thewheels, illustrating the manner in which a rim is attached and removed.10

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 2,illustrating the manner of converting a single wheel supporting axleinto a 'dual wheel supporting axle, and vice-versa.

except for their disposition upon-the spindle 25 I! in oppositerelation. It is to be understood, however, that these wheels areemployed merely for the purpose of illustration and that other desirabletypes of wheels may be employed.

The spindle l3, which extends from an axle 30 llv of somewhat greaterdiameter, is formed to provide an inner section [8 and a slightlysmaller outer section l9. Against a shoulder 2| formed at the axiallyouter extremity of the axle II, a collar 22 is provided, which issecured by a 3 key 23, in non-rotative relation upon the spindle sectionl8 and against the axially outer end of the collar a screw 24 retains a.lubricant retaining cap 26. thereto. The cap at its radially outer edgeis provided with a flange 21 which slidably engages and retains a feltor other suitable washer 29 in a recessed portion of the hub 3| 0! thewheel II. On the radially inner surface of the hub 3i, and midwaybetween the opposite ends thereof, an annular radial projection 32 isformed by means of which the axially inner one of the bearings i4 issecured firmly against the radially inner portion 01' the cap 26 whichin turn is held against the end of the sleeve 22. The outer one of thebearings I 4 is held against the shoulder 32 by means of an internallythreaded annular ring 33 which is adapted to be tightened upon thethreaded outer end of the inner section l8 of the spindle l3.

7 This ring is held in position upon the spindle by a locking ring 34having a tongue 36 disposed in an axial slot formed in the spindleadjacentthe axially outer end of the threaded portion, and this slot mayextend partly into the latter.

The locking ring 34 is somewhat larger in internal diameter than theouter portion I9 of the ring over portion I9 with the tongue 36 slidingover such portion I9 on the spindle without providing a slot throughoutthe entire exring 33 may be adapted, and then locked to,

ring 34 by disposing the dowel pin or set screw into a correspondingopening 38.

On the outer surface of the retaining ring 33 a pair of lubricantretaining caps 39 are provided having flanges 4| projecting inoppositedirections and within each of which a felt annular lubricant retainingring 42 is secured. The ring 42 in the axially inner cap engages aportion of the outer extremity of the hub 3| of the wheel II while thering 42 in the axially outer cap engages a corresponding portion of thehub 43 of the outer wheel I2. Each of thesecaps is secured innon-rotative relation upon the retaining ring 33 by an inwardlyprojecting lug 44 engaging a longitudinally disposed slot 45 formed inthe outer surface of the retaining ring.

The inner surface of the hub 43 likewise is provided with an inwardlydisposed annular projection 46 which engages the axially inner one ofthe bearings I 6 employed in supporting-the wheel l2 and retains suchbearing in operative position against the outer surface of the lockingring 34.

I6 is held in position against the annular projection 46 by a flangednut 41 which is threaded upon the axially outer end of the spindlesection I9. Between .this bearing and the nut 41, however, alubricant-retaining cap 49 is disposed, having at its radially outeredge,'a flange 5| directed axially inwardly, which, retains a felt ring52 against an outer portion of the hub 43.

The nut 41 is adjustably held in position upon the spindle I3 by alocking ring 53 which is splined upon the axially outer extremity of thespindle as is indicated at 54. The locking ring 53 is provided with anydesired number of cap screws 56 which extend into threaded-openings 51formed in the flanged portion of the nut 41. The cap screws 56 preventrelative rotation between the ,locking ring 53 and the nut 41 by whichthe latter is secured non-rotatively in any desired position upon thespindle I3. a

The wheels II and I2 are provided with brakes 56 and 59 respectivelywhich may be of any desired type. The brake 59 employed on the outerwheel I2 comprises a stationary plate 6| which may be secured rigidly tothe outer end of the spindle I3 in any desired manner as, for example,within an annular recess 62 i'ormed in the locking ring 63 and by theemployment of the bolts or cap screws 56 already mentioned. This platehas a pair or brake shoes 63 and 64 which may be 'pivotally secured atone end to the plate and which are adapted to,be ex- The axially outerone of the bearings panded at their other ends by a cam 66 securedrotatively to the plate 6I in a region immediately between the movableextremities of the shoes; The outer surfaces of the shoes. 63 and 64.are adapted to engage the inner surface of a brake drum 61 which issecured by bolts 66 Fig. 2 against pads 69 formed on the spokes of thewheel I2.

The operation of the shoes is controlled by a lever 1I disposed outsidethe plate 6| and secured rigidly to a stud 13'on which the cam 66 isrotatively mounted. A Bowden wire 14, for example, maybe secured at oneend to the outer end of the arm H and have a flexible sheath 16, the endof which is secured by a bracket 11 and screws 18 to the plate 6|. Thiswire and its sheath may extend through the hollow axle spindle I3 andthen through the wall of the latter to the inboard sideof the inboardwheel where it is accessible for operatplate 6i of the brake is securedby cap screws 66. In every other respect the brake 58 is substantiallyidentical to the brake 59 and corresponding reference numerals areapplied to each of the structures wherever applicable. The brake .56like the brake 59, is operable by means of a Bowden wire 81 from anydesired location. The two wires may be connected to the same brakeoperating mechanism for simultaneous manipulation or they may beoperated independently.

On the outer ends of the spokes of the wheels II. and I2 inboard andoutboard rims 88 and 89 are supported respectively and these, like thewheels, are disposed in opposite relation. Each of the rims has anintegral side flange M and a split removable ring 92, the latter beingremovably mounted in a grooved portion 93 at the side of the rimopposite the flange 9I. The flange and the split ring retain a pneumaticor other suitable tire 94 on the rim.

For securing the rims upon the ends of the spokes, circumferentialgrooves 96 are provided in the ends of the spokes, in which wires 91 and98 are disposed, which also support the spokes circumferentially. Thegrooves 96 formed in the wheel are formed somewhat nearer the axiallyouter than to the inner edges of the spokes, whereas the grooves formedin the spokes of the wheel I2 are formed nearer the axially inner thanthe outer edges of the spokes. The rim 86 is disposed upon the ends ofthe spokes 4 on the axially inner side of the ring 91 while the rim 99is disposed upon the spokes of the wheel I2 on the axially outer'side ofring 96.

In 'order to hold the wires 91 and 96 under tension within the grooves96 at opposite ends of each wire, a tensiqning device 99 which consistsof a rotatable nut retained on one end of the wire by a flange, andwhich engages a threaded portion at the other end of the wire.

The rims 66 and 69 are held in position agains the wires 91 and 96 bylocking lugs IIII which are adapted to engage-an axially tapered surfaceon the grooved portions while an oppositely tapered surface. of thelatter engages the wires 91 and 96.

Each of these lugs consists of a threaded stud portion I02 adapted toextend through openings I03 formed'in the sides of the wheel spokes andthere be engaged by nuts I04 for tightening or loosening the'lugs. Theopenings I03 are formed inthe spokes on the sides thereof adjacent thewires 91 and 98.

On the opposite sides of the spokes and partially across the outer endsthereof slots I06 are formed in which portions of the locking lugs I01of generally rectangular cross section are adapted to be slidably andnon-rotatably disposed. At this end of each of the locking lugs and atthe outer edges thereof transversely disposed cam elements I08 areformed which are materially wider than the slots formed in the outerextremities of the wheel spokes and consequently they prevent the lugsfrom moving inwardly relative to the spokes when the nuts I04 aretightened to such an extent as to draw the elements across the outerends of the spokes.

When the nuts are sufliciently loosened, however, these elements areadapted to slide radially and inwardly along the rear surfaces of thespokes until the outer extremities thereof are radially inward of thespoke ends. Thus, when the cam elements are in this retracted positionthe rims can be entirely removed from the wheels in one direction. Whenthe nuts I04 are tightened sufliciently the cam elements I08 aretightened against the inwardly flanged portions of the. rims and thusthe latter are clamped between the cams and the rings 91 and 98.

When the entire structure is assembled as indicated in Fig. 2, the outerrim 89 may beremoved from the wheel I2 by loosening the nuts :04 untilthe cam portions I08 of the locking lugs I01 may drop radially andinwardly behind the spokes, in which event the rim 89 can be moved offthe ends of the spokes therebeyond, Should it then be desirable to takeoff the inner rim 88, this may be done merely by removing the wire 98from the groove formed inthe ends of the spokes-of the wheel i2 and thenremoving the wire 91 from the spokes of the wheel II. The wires 91 and98 both can-beremoved merely by loosening the tensioning devices 99employed in tightening them within the grooves.

Before removing the wire 91 the nuts I04 ofv the locking lugs of thiswheel may be loosened slightly if desired in order to place the lugs inposition for again replacing the The nuts I04 do not have to be loosenedin this instance enough to move the cam portions of the locking. lugsoff the ends of the spokes, but merely enough to permit the wire 91 tobe tightened in the grooves in the ends of the spokes before the lugsare tightened against the rim.

It will be observed in this connection that either of the wheels II and[2 can be removed without affecting the operation of the other.

' This may be done. by disconnecting the. wheel desired to be removedand again assembling the structure so that the remaining wheel is placedin operative condition. Since the wheels are independently mounted, theywill not necessarily pendently of the other. In the event a tire on oneof the wheels should become punctured, the tire and rim may be removedwithout removing the wheel involved and the latter will. remainstationary upon the spindle, or at least will not rotate at any greatspeed, while the other wheel carries the load previously carried by bothwheels.

It should be observed that each wheel is provided with separate oil orlubricant-retaining means and consequently one wheel can be removedwithout the lubricant from the other escaping.

Referring to Fig. 6, a dual wheel arrangement is illustrated which isvery similar to that described, except for the axle employed. In thiscase, the axle indicated at IIO, may be of the conventional typeemployed for supporting a single wheel, and may have a radial flangeIII, a cylindrical portion H2, and a tapered end 3 terminating in "athreaded portion II4 for re-. ceiving a single wheel fastening nut. Forcon- I ,of the axle, and if a permanent arrangement is desired, theaxially inner end of the stub axle may be welded to the axle, along .thejunction indicated at II8. This stub axle may have its axially inner endof larger diameter and threaded as indicated at IIS, and the remainderof the stub axle may be substantially identical to the spindle sectionshown byFig. 2 and cooperate with the same elements thereoninsubstantially the same way. However, owing to the fact that the singlewheel axle I I shown may not be tubular, it may be preferable to providean axial groove I20 formed in the outer surface thereof,

and a coinciding groove IZI formed 'in the stub axle, to accommodate theBowden wire I4. The tongue 36 on the ring 34 may be bifurcatedifpreferred, to straddle the wire and groove I2I and disposed in a slotcrossing the groove or the tongue may be disposed in a slot circumferen-I tially spaced from the groove.

It will be appreciated in this construction that a single wheel axle mayreadily be converted into a dual wheel axle, thereby minimizing expensein a changeover from singleto dual wheels.

1. In combination, an axle, inboard and out- 5 board wheels rotatablymounted on the axle, a brake for each wheel, and means accessible at theinboard side of the inboard wheel for operating the brakes and includingmeans extending axial- 1y through a recess in the axle for operating thebrake for the outboard wheel, said last means being operable throughmovement thereof axially of the axle.

2. In combination, an axle,'inboard and outboard wheels rotatablymounted on the axle, separate brakes for thewheels and located at theremote sides thereof respectively, and means accessible at the inboardsideof the inboard wheel for independently operating the brakes, saidmeans including an element extending axiaily through a recess in theaxle and which is operable by movement axially of the axle,

3. In combination, an axle, inboard and outboard wheels rotatablymounted on the axle, separate brake drums for the wheels, and located atthe remote sides' thereof, braking means mounted on the axle at saidremote sides or the wheels and adapted to co-operate with the drums, andmeans at, the inboard side of the inboard wheel and opratively connectedto the braking means for actuating the latter, said actuating meansincluding an element extending axially in a recess in the axle to thebraking means at the outboard side of the outer wheel and being operableby movement axially of the axle.

4. In combination an axle, inboard and outboard wheels rotatably mountedon the axle, a brake for each wheel, and means accessible at the inboardside ofthe inboard wheel for operating both brakes, said means includingan operable element projecting from the axle intermediate the endsthereof for operating the brake provided for the outboard wheel.

GEORGE A. KENDALL.

